2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities

1. SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday
Activities
November 23, 2015

2. • End-of-year/holiday parties: Almost two-thirds (65%) of HR professionals indicated their
organizations will have a 2015 end-of-year/holiday party open to all employees, with smaller
organizations (1 to 99 employees) being more likely than larger organizations (2,500 to 24,999
employees) to do so. Thirty percent of responding HR professionals indicated their organizations do
not usually have an end-of-year/holiday party, an increase from 2012 (17%).
• Budget for end-of-year/holiday parties: Of HR professionals who indicated their organizations will
have a 2015 end-of-year/holiday party, more than four-fifths (83%) indicated there is a budget for this
event. The majority of HR professionals (80%) indicated the 2015 budget was about the same as the
2014 budget. However, 45% indicated their budget was larger in 2015 compared with the budget five
years ago (2010); just one-fifth (22%) indicated their budget was smaller.
• End-of-year/holiday party location: Two-thirds (67%) of HR professionals indicated their end-of-
year/holiday party will be held offsite; just over one-quarter (27%) said their party will be held onsite.
• Alcohol at end-of-year/holiday parties: About three-fifths (59%) of HR professionals indicated
their organizations plan to serve alcohol at their end-of-year/holiday party. Of those planning to serve
alcohol, 47% indicated they would regulate alcohol consumption at the event. The most popular
method HR professionals cited to regulate alcohol was using drink tickets or having a drinks
maximum (71%).
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 2
Key Findings

3. • Participation in charitable donations/drives during the end-of-year/holiday season: About
four-fifths (82%) of HR professionals indicated their organizations are participating in charitable
donations/drives (e.g., Toys for Tots, winter coat drives) during the end-of-year/holiday season, an
increase from 2012 (74%).
• Nonperformance-based gifts* at the end of the year: Almost one-quarter (23%) of HR
professionals indicated their organizations give nonperformance-based gifts to all employees at the
end of the year, a decrease from 2013 (32%).
• Gift exchanges during the end-of-year/holiday season: Just over one-half of HR professionals
indicated their organizations participate in gift exchanges, with 43% conducting gift exchanges
within departments, 7% companywide, and 3% both within departments and companywide.
• Personal online holiday shopping at work: Over one-half (55%) of HR professionals indicated
their organizations allow employees to shop online at work in preparation for the holiday season
during lunch and breaks; about one-third (32%) indicated their organizations did not allow personal
online shopping at any time.
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 3
Key Findings (continued)
*e.g., gift bags, gift cards, ham, turkey

4. SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 4
End-of-Year/Holiday Parties

5. End-of-Year/Holiday Parties
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 5
65%
30%
6%
66%
25%
9%
72%
17%
10%
Yes
No, we usually do not have end-of-
year/holiday parties for all employees
No, we used to have end-of-
year/holiday parties for all employees
in the past, but we have cut back due
to financial challenges
2015 (n = 358)
2013 (n = 748)
2012 (n = 362)
Note: Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
1Statistically significant difference from 2012.
Of respondents who
indicated their
organizations are
holding an end-of-
year/holiday party,
83% reported they
have a budget.
n = 2041
1
In 2015, will your organization be having an end-of-year/holiday party
open to all employees?

6. End-of-Year/Holiday Parties
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 6
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 1 to 99 employees were more likely than organizations with 2,500 to 24,999 employees to
indicate their organizations will be having an end-of-year/holiday party open to all employees.
Comparisons by organization sector
• Privately owned for-profit and nonprofit organizations were more likely than government organizations to indicate
their organizations will be having an end-of-year/holiday party open to all employees.
Comparisons by organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (82%) > 2,500 to 24,999 employees (41%)
Comparisons by organization sector
Privately owned for-profit (75%)
Nonprofit (61%)
> Government (30%)
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.

7. Note: n = 154. Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered
“not sure” or “Did not have a budget for the end-of-year/holiday party “ in 2014 and/or five years ago were excluded from this analysis.
Budget for End-of-Year/Holiday Party in 2015 Compared with Previous
Years
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 7
10%
80%
10%
45%
33%
22%
Larger
About the same
Smaller
2015 budget compared with
2014 budget (n = 154)
2015 budget compared with
five years ago (2010) (n = 135)

8. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
End-of-Year/Holiday Party Location
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 8
67%
27%
3%
2%
60%
32%
4%
3%
68%
23%
7%
2%
Offsite (our normal practice)
Onsite (our normal practice)
Onsite this year to save costs
Other
2015 (n= 218)
2013 (n = 473)
2012 (n = 252)

9. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
1Statistically significant difference from 2012.
End-of-Year/Holiday Party Time
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 9
42%
35%
22%
43%
42%
15%
49%
39%
12%
During nonbusiness hours, and we will
not close early the day of the party
During business hours
During nonbusiness hours, but we
will close early the day of the party
2015 (n = 215)
2013 (n = 474)
2012 (n = 247)
___
1

10. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Expected Attendance at the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 10
52%
29%
17%
2%
48%
35%
13%
3%
51%
29%
16%
3%
76% to 100% of employees
51% to 75% of employees
25% to 50% of employees
Less than 25% of employees
2015 (n =223)
2013 (n = 479)
2012 (n = 255)

11. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis.
Permission to Bring Guests to the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 11
53%
6%
41%
50%
5%
45%
53%
5%
42%
Yes, but a limited number of guests
Yes, as many as they would like
No
2015 (n = 227)
2013 (n = 475)
2012 (n = 251)

12. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis.
Employee Requirement to Pay for Additional Guests Attending
the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
12
89%
5%
2%
4%
81%
3%
8%
8%
85%
6%
6%
3%
No
Yes, for more than one guest
Yes, for any guests
Other
2015 (n =131)
2013 (n = 257)
2012 (n = 143)
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

13. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis.
Employee Contributions to the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 13
92%
5%
3%
90%
6%
4%
91%
6%
3%
No, employees are not expected to
contribute
Yes, employees are asked to make a
nonmonetary contribution (e.g., food,
decorations)
Yes, employees are asked to make a
monetary contribution (e.g., purchase
tickets, contribute money)
2015 (n =223)
2013 (n = 485)
2012 (n = 256)

14. Note: Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Percentages may not total 100% due
to rounding.
Prizes Given at the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 14
46%
14%
41%
45%
15%
40%
40%
14%
47%
Yes, prizes are given to random
employees (e.g., a raffle)
Yes, prizes are given to all employees
No, prizes are not given to any
employees
2015 (n = 227)
2013 (n = 487)
2012 (n = 258)

15. *Only respondents whose organizations were sponsoring an end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who answered “not sure”
were excluded from this analysis.
**Only respondents whose organizations were planning to serve alcohol at their end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question. Respondents who
answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.
Alcohol at the End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 15
59%
47%
Will alcohol be served at the end-of-
year/holiday party? (n = 217)
Does your organization regulate alcohol
consumption at the end-of-year/holiday
party? (n = 117)
Yes
*
**

16. Note: n = 55. Only respondents whose organizations were planning to serve alcohol at their end-of-year/holiday party were asked this question.
Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple responses.
How Organizations Plan to Regulate Alcohol Consumption
at Their End-of-Year/Holiday Party
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 16
71%
25%
18%
11%
Through drink tickets or a drinks maximum
By serving only certain types of alcohol
(i.e., beer and wine)
By asking employees and guests to pay for their
own drinks at a cash bar
Other

17. SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 17
End-of-Year Giving

18. Participation in Charitable Donations/Drives (e.g., Toys for Tots, winter
coat drives) During the End-of-Year/Holiday Season
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 18
82%
78%
74%
Yes
2015 (n = 350)
2013 (n = 788)
2012 (n = 379)
Note: Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.
1Statistically significant difference from 2012.
1

19. Nonperformance-Based Bonuses at the End of the Year
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 19
24%
3%
4%
69%
19%
3%
3%
75%
30%
4%
66%
Yes, to all employees
Yes, but only to nonexecutive employees
Yes, but only to excecutive employees
No
2015 (n = 360)
2013 (n = 789)
2012 (n = 376)
*
Note: Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.
* This response option was not available in 2012.

20. Note: Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.
*E.g., gift bags, gift cards, ham, turkey.
1Statistically significant difference from 2013.
Nonperformance-Based Gifts* at the End of the Year
20
23%
3%
0%
74%
32%
2%
1%
65%
Yes, to all employees
Yes, but only to nonexecutive employees
Yes, but only to excecutive employees
No
2015 (n =359 )
2013 (n = 792)
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015
1
1

21. Nonperformance-Based Gifts* at Thanksgiving
21
17%
1%
1%
81%
Yes, to all employees
Yes, but only to nonexecutive employees
Yes, but only to excecutive employees
No
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015
Note: n = 349. Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.
*E.g., gift bags, gift cards, ham, turkey.

22. Gift Exchanges During the End-of-Year/Holiday Season
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 22
48%
43%
7%
3%
48%
45%
5%
2%
No
Yes, within departments
Yes, companywide
Yes, both within departments and
companywide
2015 (n =350 )
2013 (n = 760)
Note: Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

23. Personal Online Holiday Shopping at Work
23
55%
32%
13%
Yes, during lunch and breaks only
No
Yes, as long as the employee is on schedule
with his or her work
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015
Note: n = 220. Respondents who answered “not sure” were excluded from this analysis.

24. SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015 24
Demographics

25. Note: n = 365. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.
Demographics: Organization Industry
25
Percentage
Manufacturing 19%
Professional, scientific and technical services 13%
Health care and social assistance 12%
Finance and insurance 12%
Educational services 9%
Government agencies 7%
Transportation and warehousing 5%
Retail trade 5%
Utilities 5%
Construction 5%
Administrative and support, and waste management and remediation services 5%
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

26. Demographics: Organization Industry (continued)
26
Percentage
Real estate, rental and leasing 4%
Repair and maintenance 4%
Wholesale trade 3%
Accommodation and food services 3%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 2%
Information 2%
Religious, grant-making, civic, professional and similar organizations 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 2%
Arts, entertainment and recreation 2%
Personal and laundry services < 1%
Other industry 12%
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015
Note: n = 365. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.

27. Note: n = 356. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Demographics: Organization Sector
27
55%
19%
16%
9%
2%
Privately owned for-profit
Nonprofit
Publicly owned for-profit
Government
Other
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

28. Demographics: Organization Staff Size
28
15%
37%
25%
19%
6%
1 to 99 employees
100 to 499 employees
500 to 2,499 employees
2,500 to 24,999 employees
25,000 or more employees
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015
Note: n = 232. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

29. n = 380
Demographics: Other
29
U.S.-based operations only 77%
Multinational operations 23%
Single-unit organization: An organization in
which the location and the organization are
one and the same.
36%
Multi-unit organization: An organization that
has more than one location.
64%
Multi-unit headquarters determines HR policies
and practices
57%
Each work location determines HR policies
and practices
3%
A combination of both the work location and
the multi-unit headquarters determines HR
policies and practices
40%
Is your organization a single-unit organization or a
multi-unit organization?
For multi-unit organizations, are HR policies and practices
determined by the multi-unit headquarters, by each work
location or by both?
Does your organization have U.S.-based
operations (business units) only, or does it
operate multinationally?
n = 381
n = 255
Corporate (companywide) 72%
Business unit/division 14%
Facility/location 14%
n = 256
What is the HR department/function for
which you responded throughout this
survey?
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

30. 30
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday
Activities
• Response rate = 13%
• 385 HR professionals from a randomly selected sample of SHRM’s membership participated in this
survey
• Margin of error +/-5%
• Survey fielded October 5-16, 2015
Survey Methodology
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

31. For more survey/poll findings, visit shrm.org/surveys
For more information about SHRM’s Customized Research Services, visit
shrm.org/customizedresearch
Follow us on Twitter @SHRM_Research
31
About SHRM Research
Project leads:
Jeanessa Gantt, SHRM Research
Karen Wessels, researcher, SHRM Research
Project contributors:
Evren Esen, director, Survey Programs, SHRM Research
Copy editor:
Katya Scanlan, SHRM Knowledge Center
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015

32. Founded in 1948, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the
world’s largest HR membership organization devoted to human resource management.
Representing more than 275,000 members in over 160 countries, the Society is the
leading provider of resources to serve the needs of HR professionals and advance the
professional practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575
affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and
United Arab Emirates. Visit us at shrm.org.
32
About SHRM
SHRM Survey Findings: 2015 End-of-Year/Holiday Activities ©SHRM 2015